The Geely cars of China

A Filipino-Chinese businessman clinched the exclusive distributorship for the low cost Geely Panda, a Chinese compact car introduced in 2009. Described as a “bionic car,” the design of the Geely (pronounced with a hard “g” as in Guilly Rufino) Panda is patterned after China’s favorite animal – from the engine cover down to the headlights and big, mouth-like grille that are reminiscent of the cuddly bear’s face.

Geely is one of the fastest growing companies in the Chinese automotive industry (18 million cars are sold yearly in China) and is among that country’s top 500 firms. The first local Geely dealership is located in Balintawak which showcases the compact Panda hatchback with comfortable cute interiors, a wide-open air inlet below the integrated bumper to allow for better airflow, an instruments board that effectively absorbs reflected light for safer and better driving vision and a 1.3-liter engine paired with a five-speed manual transmission.

We are told the “low gas consumption” Geely Panda will sell for around P400,000 - the perfect car for thrifty and frugal Filipinos from Ilocos to Pampanga. 

Digitel or bust

PLDT chairman Manny Pangilinan has been anxiously waiting for the Office of the President to decide on the PLDT-Digitel merger whose original deadline of August 26 has long lapsed. The National Telecommunications Commission, the agency tasked to study the details of the deal, had asked for two more months before issuing a decision.

Even before the NTC could issue a decision however, some groups are already planning to seek a TRO in the event that the transaction is approved. Opponents of the merger are claiming that the Digitel acquisition could lead to a virtual monopoly of the telecommunications industry - an accusation that PLDT is vehemently denying, pointing out that on the contrary, this could lead to better services and lower costs for customers through the creation of “operational synergies.” 

Pangilinan

An obviously unhappy MVP told Spy Bits that all he wants is to know whether the deal is a “go” or a “no” –because if not, then he would like to invest the P70 billion somewhere else. 

The Playboy Club is coming back

Spy Bits sources disclosed that Jun Oñate and Biboy Enriquez are planning to bring in the internationally renowned Playboy Club here in the Philippines. Biboy of Silahis Hotel fame is a certified “ladies’ man” who launched the Miss Asia Quest contest and in fact, had tried to bring in the Playboy Club sometime in the ’70s. Jun and Biboy are looking at the Resorts World complex in Pasay as probable playground, with no less than Mr. Playboy himself, Hugh Hefner, gracing the opening.

An initial membership of 2,000-3,000 is being targeted with membership priced at around P200,000. The Playboy Club will have the usual amenities like a casino, Playmate Bar, fine dining and all other classy features including a place for concerts and other events. Naturally, cutesy bunnies – both of the local and international variety – will enliven the Playboy Club.

 Spy Bits still has no date for the official launch but one thing is for sure: our local “man about town” guys like Mike Toledo and Noel Oñate will be one of the first to sign up for membership.

Spy tidbit

– Hawaiian Airlines maintained its Number One rating as the top-ranked airline in the US for punctuality with over 95 percent of flights arriving on time – exceeding industry average by more than 17 percentage points for the month of July. In the Air Travel Consumer Report filed by the US Department of Transportation’s Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings, Hawaiian bested 15 other leading US carriers in on-time arrivals and fewest cancellations with a near-perfect score of only two cancellations out of 5,976 total flights. Earlier, the airline was also cited as the number one airline in the US for on-time performance for the 7th consecutive year. (Disclosure: This columnist is currently a board member of the local GSA for Hawaiian Air.)

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